Shakha in the Modern World:
Hindu civilization is one of the most ancient civilization of the world. Over the millennia the Hindu culture philosophies, religions, sciences, ats and architecture etc., contributuing to almost every imaginable field of human endeavor.
This exhibition is a bird’s eye view of the vast Hindu cultural heritage and the Dharmic traditions of India.
There are 30 posters on different themes…
- Namaste
- Hinduism
- Hindu way of living
- Cosmic Rhythm
- God
- Scriptures
- The roots
- Festivals
- Classical Art
- Hindu women
- Divine Nature
- Service
- Buddism
- Jainism
- Sikhism
- Land of spirituality
- Architecure
- Temples in India
- Temples in America
- Maritime history
- Influence in Asia
- Colonial migration
- Contributions in arithmetic
- Contributions in Geometry
- Contributions in Astronomy
- Knowledge in Physics
- Contributions in Chemistry
- Contributions in Metallurgy
- Ayurveda
- Yoga
- Shri Guruji
- Basic concepts and way of living
- Temples, ancient roots and Architecture
- Art, Dance and Music
- Hindu Diaspora and its influence
- Contributions in Mathematics and Science
- Yoga and Ayurveda
- Dharma in nature and service
- Role of Hindu Women
Hinduism, called as Sanatan Dharma (eternal way of life), is worlds one of the most Hinduismancient and major religion with one out of every sixth person being Hindu. Hindu Dharma is a righteous way of life based on accumulated wisdom of great sages, Vedas, Upanishads and Agams. Various basic concepts like Dharma, Karma, Ahimsa, rebirth, Moksha (nirvana) are inherited by various dharmic traditions like Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism from India. Hindus believe in cyclic time including eternal cycle of creation and destruction of Universe. Hindu believes that God is both immanent and transcendent. Hindu Dharma gives a freedom to perceive and approach the God in different ways.
Scriptures: Hinduism is not based on a single book. Rather Hindus have various scriptures like Veda, Upanishads, Agamas, Puranas, Itihas (epics), Geeta, Revelations and messages of Gurus, Smritis, Darshanas and many others. As an eternal living tradition new scriptures are continuously added.
Architecture: Many amazing monuments built in thousands of yeas are uniqueTemples exhibits of Hindu architecture giving imprints of Hindu heritage. Architecture includes Ancient town planning, citadels, Rock cut temples like Anjanta, Elephanta Caves, Mahabalipuram, and temples built in various styles like Dravida, Veresa and North. All the styles, however, are based on Hindu scripture on architecture called Vastu Shastra.
Temples: Hindu temples are believed as earthly seats of God where Hindus worship God through icons or deities. Often temples artistically created Hindu temples are centers of religious, cultural and social events. In last few thousands years, various Hindu dynasties built wonderful temples. Pilgrimage to this temple has been part of Hindu life. With these sacred places, Indian subcontinent is considered as sacred land of Dharmic traditions. Hindus built temples wherever they went including America where more than 400 Service temples are built.
Nature and Service: Hindus believe divinity in everyone. Hindu dharma preaches happiness to all being and a peace at various levels. Hindus practice coexistence with ecology. Based on such ideals, Hindus are nature lovers and consider service to humanity is a service to God.
Yoga and Ayurveda: Yoga and Ayurveda, science of life, are two unique contributions of Hindus to the world. Both have their roots inYoga Vedas. Meditation and Asanas (postures), both part of Raja Yoga, have become very beneficial in maintaining a good health in modern life. Modern days rhinoplasty is known as Indian rhinoplasty for its root in an ancient sage Sushruta’s technique from Ayurveda.
Art: Various Indian dances are expression of devotion. Most of the Arttimes, such dances and music are based on religious themes and content. Music in particular rooted in Samaveda while performing art is detailed in ‘Natya Shashtra’ by Sage Bharat.
Festivals: One may say, Hindus find reason to celebrate every day. Most of the festivals are religious, celebration of seasons, historical events including birthdays of forms of God, Gurus and historically important personalities.
Hindu Influence: Hindus shared their cultural heritage with Hindu Influenceneighbors of India. For more than a thousand years from around 200 CE to 1400-1500 CE, various dynasties originated from India had established kingdoms in various nations in Far East Asia. Ankor Wat (Cambodia), Padmanabhan temple and Boradubur temple in Central Indonesia are few examples of them. In colonized world of British Empire, some Hindus were migrated as laborers to places like Caribbean island, Fiji and Africa where they maintained culture, contributed locally and established
Ancient knowledge and contributions in Mathematics, science and technology: From ancient times, Hindu culture is conducive to development of various fields. Hindus made significant progress in astronomy, contributed in mathematics (from zero, decimal system, various concepts in trigonometry, and even calculus). Hindus developed and used knowledge in chemistry and metallurgy. An iron pillar unrusted for more than 1400 years shows prowess in metallurgy. Indian maritime has a long history with mariners compass is said to be based on a Hindu technique.